Biggest Obstacle To Luring Mike McDaniel To Tampa Just Popped Up
January 20th, 2026
Ripple effect in Tampa?
In the past week or so as it seemed the Bucs and former Dolphins shot-caller Mike McDaniel had mutual interest in the Bucs’ opening at offensive coordinator, rumors floated through social media from legitimate NFL sources.
It seemed, per the rumors, that McDaniel might wait for a while to make a decision on what job he would take of the many he had interviewed for.
The rumor suggested that McDaniel was waiting to see what would happen with Mr. Clean in San Francisco, the former Jets coach and successor of Todd Bowles’ in New Jersey.
Apparently, McDaniel and Mr. Clean are tight and it almost sounded like a Dirk Koetter-Mike Smith handshake deal.
Well, late last night, as if to give Curt Cignetti and Indiana the finger, word broke that Mr. Clean is expected to be the next coach of the Titans.
This is bad news for Bucs fans. Who knows what job security McDaniel will have with the Bucs, if any. And who knows if Baker Mayfield will be around in 2027. Or Chris Godwin. Or Mike Evans.
In Nashville, McDaniel will work with rookie star quarterback Cam Ward. In the NFL, it’s always about the quarterback.
And you have to figure McDaniel will have at least two years, minimum in Nashville. If things go sideways with the Bucs this fall, is Bowles still the Bucs’ coach in a year from now?
So cross your fingers Bucs fans that McDaniel grew to love Florida from working in Miami. So much so he doesn’t want to leave the Sunshine State.
January 20th, 2026 at 5:28 am
Does it matter who takes the OC job while Licht, and Bowles are in charge? Whoever they hire won’t be able to save Bowles from himself. That person won’t be able to help Licht find an edge rusher. Remember JTS, Reddick, Braswell is going to shock the world? McDaniel would need a promise to take over if his offense does good, knowing how bad Todd’s defense is. He just beat it with a 7th round rookie QB getting his 2nd start. Does he want to hitch himself with a HC who has one foot out the door, and one on a banana peel? He still has an interview with the Chargers. Don’t get your hopes up Buc fans.
January 20th, 2026 at 5:54 am
Tennessee also has no state income tax so we lose that advantage.
January 20th, 2026 at 5:57 am
Looking like they’ll probably offer the job Zac Robinson. Dan Pitcher is probably their fall back if Robinson falls through. This is kinda disappointing cause I really like Mike McDaniels. His 2022-23 offensives with the dolphins were top notch.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:28 am
This team is nothing but hot garbage. Nobody wants to coach here with Bowles running the show. He’s a miserable failure and everybody knows it. The Glazers are complete fools.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:33 am
@Hidad
It’s amazing how the fans can notice all of this but nobody at One Buc Place can. They probably do but don’t care.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:45 am
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
January 20th, 2026 at 6:49 am
@bucu 👏👏👏👏
January 20th, 2026 at 6:51 am
So Joe what do you see in your crystal ball? If panthers and falcons are in the playoffs next year and we endup with a 9-8 record and out of the playoffs.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:52 am
We will be stuck with Zac Robinson sadly.. and he couldn’t do anything with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts.
January 20th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Robert Saleh going to the Tennessee Titans wasn’t exactly something that’s gnna make the world stop with local programming being interrupted by national news and def wasn’t exactly gnna take away from Indiana going 16-0 and handling cheap shot Miami. Which as an aside, was predictable. Miami pregame in the tunnel was acting exactly the way you would expect Miami to act (such vibrant culture!) and then in-game cheap shotting Mendoza – but in the end they’re the ones that got popped in the mouth the hardest
January 20th, 2026 at 6:57 am
“He couldn’t do anything with Bijan Robinson.” Meanwhile Bijan Robinson was agreeably the best player in football, Kyle Pitts had a career year and Drake London has been outstanding with mediocre qb talent.” Great argument though, please keep going
January 20th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Why would mcdaniel go to the Titans though. That team is devoid of weapons and likely wouldnt lead to mcdaniel getting a HC position sooner than later.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:14 am
I just dont get it. How did we get here? Have the Glazers really pulled one over on us fans and now have everyone focused and really caring about who we hire as OC? As if hiring someone like McDaniel will be some big win? Im not taking the bait.
Bowles, as of today is still the HC, and until I hear differently I certainly won’t be celebrating any OC hire or ST coach, FA signing or draft pick. You all can buy into the mirage when they hire “insert irrelevant OC here”, sign some FAs or draft the guy you want…Nope not doing it this year..Fire Bowles, then let’s talk.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:21 am
Ben Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Why would mcdaniel go to the Titans though. That team is devoid of weapons and likely wouldnt lead to mcdaniel getting a HC position sooner than later.
Where do you wanna start?
A chance to work with his buddy and have job security and total control of the offense. To work with a young, talented franchise QB. To be on a team with almost 100 mil in cap space, the most in the NFL. To work with a HC you know will take care of the defensive side of the ball, meaning your offense won’t have to put up 35 a game to win.
Why would he want to work for a lame duck coach in Bowles??
January 20th, 2026 at 7:22 am
The Bucs have 2 BIG obstacles in the form of HC and QB. No matter how you slice it, as long as they’re here, pickens will be slim.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:23 am
I’m not crossing my fingers for sh*t. There’s more than one way to build an offense and more than one credible OC available.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:26 am
That doesn’t always mater. OC’s get a 2 to 3 year contract.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:27 am
No one is going to want to coach here. It’s basically a 1 year rental because we all know Bowles will get fired eventually most likely at the end of the upcoming season. So no coach is wasting a year here to just be fired. This is why Bowles should have been fired to begin with.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Yep…back to being the yucs
January 20th, 2026 at 7:44 am
Depends what he is looking for ,,, a nice little OC job w Salah where he can take a few years to grow his craft or a one year OC job as a stepping stone to being a HC again
January 20th, 2026 at 7:45 am
You fans are pathetic. As a 40+ year season ticket holder I’ve seen so much worse and we’ll be back. Go Bucs
January 20th, 2026 at 7:49 am
All this smoke, yet no fire. Don’t fall for it until you see the fire..which seems very unlikely at this point. Wake me up next January when they are forced to start the fire.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:56 am
None of it matters with Bowles being the head coach. This team is going nowhere until ownership figures it out that even though they may think Bowles is a great guy that does not mean he’s a good NFL head coach.
January 20th, 2026 at 7:57 am
I’m not sure exactly what the point is when people reference “job security”. Do people think MM would have a hard time finding a job next year if TB career as the Bucs coach comes to an end?
Not saying he wouldn’t choose to be in a place that he has a higher percentage of not seeing the HC get fired next year. Just that he wouldn’t have a hard time finding a job. And I would think if he takes an OC job his plan is to only be there one year anyway. If you are going to try and pad your resume with a one year OC job do you want to do that with a qb in year 2 or Baker?
All that said, it wouldn’t shock me to see him go to Tennessee. People like to work with friends, it may just only be that deep.
January 20th, 2026 at 8:02 am
The poor decisions the Glazers are making right now by not selecting a quality head coach are going to haunt this team for years to come. Nobody wants to coach with this asshole.
January 20th, 2026 at 8:15 am
If I’m McDaniel and the Raiders don’t offer me a HC position, the Bucs job is looking mighty appealing. A healthy line, solid playmakers and a QB who’s adept at picking up new systems makes installing my offense easy. Add in the fact that Bowles isn’t long for the job, with or without success, and the Bucs represent my quickest ticket back to a HC position anywhere.
January 20th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Just another shtty season!!!!!!!!! Glazers look like a bunch of idiots and now act like a bunch.
January 20th, 2026 at 8:25 am
The GLAZERS and weak kneed Jason Lite
are the BIGGEST OBSTACLES
January 20th, 2026 at 8:26 am
The Bucs have shown they will not make changes after a bottom defense. That should be concerning to any new hire. You would think he Mike comes here that anything below top 10 defense should have Bowles out the door.
January 20th, 2026 at 8:26 am
As long as bowlzo is the kneepad wearing head coach this team lill be picking early in the draft next year too. This team flat-out quit on bowlzo and his band of merry men coaches. They won’t even sign on at all this year. Mike McD might improve the offense, but the special teams and defense will still be jokes. When we draft this year it should be with a vision toward 2027.